The Canadian Press

Articles from December 21, 2012

Chief Spence a 'warrior,' says activist--HALIFAX - An aboriginal activist from Nova Scotia says a First Nations chief who launched a hunger strike in opposition to federal omnibus legislation is a warrior standing up for all Canadians.Shelley Young wept...

Idle no more, First Nations tell Ottawa--OTTAWA - Hundreds of First Nations protesters waved flags, chanted slogans and shook a collective fist at the federal government Friday as they gathered on Parliament Hill to put Canada on notice they would be...

---Here is the Central Canada calendar for Friday, December 21, 2012.Good Morning from the Ontario Desk of The Canadian Press in Toronto.The Ontario Editor is Paola Loriggio.The phone number is (416) 507-2159, or toll-free 1-800-268-9237.Stations can...

Advisory: End of repeats of year-end stories--Immediately preceding this note are repeats of year-end stories from The Canadian Press that were originally moved earlier this month. All the stories carried the following note to editors:"This is a repeat...

Advisory: Repeats of year-end stories upcoming--Upcoming immediately after this note are repeats of year-end stories from The Canadian Press that were originally moved earlier this month. All the stories will carry the following note to editors:"This...

(Care-Home-Abuse)Reports provided by the Alberta government to The Canadian Press show that people with intellectual disabilities at care homes have been physically assaulted and neglected.Between July 1st, 2010, and May 1st, 2012, there were 39 incidents...

A list of omnibus crime bill legal challenges--TORONTO - Six cases will go before the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 2013 together in what is expected to be a landmark ruling on mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes. Several other cases involving...

Als sign McMaster star Quinlan to CFL deal--MONTREAL - The Montreal Alouettes are going to give Canadian Kyle Quinlan a chance to play quarterback in the CFL.The Hec Crighton Trophy winner as Canadian university football's top player signed a three-year...

Anti bullying strategies varied across Canada but success elusive--VANCOUVER - Lindsey Belaire was adopted. She was a short kid who was a little bit chubby and had curly hair.In other words, Belaire's bullies _ a group of six or seven cruel girls who...

Aquaculture debate grows in Nova Scotia--HALIFAX - For more than 30 years, Ricky Hallett has fished the rich waters of Jordan Bay on Nova Scotia's seafaring south coast.From his doorstep on a perch above the bay, he can look out to the harbour that has...

Toronto cops help uncover U.S. shooting plot--PHOENIX - Officials in the U.S. say detectives have arrested a 16-year-old female student and foiled an Arizona school shooting plot with the help of Toronto police.The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says...

(BC-Temporary-Minors)Two unions challenging Canada's temporary foreign worker program want a federal minister to appear before a judge to explain why the government hasn't handed over court-ordered documents linked to a mine near Tumbler Ridge.A Federal...

Be mindful of guests who may have allergies--TORONTO - When you're entertaining over the holidays, chances are there will be a guest who's at risk of having an allergic reaction to an ingredient contained in one of the dishes being served.Common harmful...

BlackBerry maker looks for 2013 turnaround--TORONTO - After a year of persistent struggles, BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion hopes to launch a comeback in 2013 as it works to convince customers its latest smartphones are a worthy alternative to the...

Bombardier extends contracts with Metrolinx--Ontario's Metrolinx has extended two contracts with Bombardier Transportation worth $927 million for fleet operations and maintenance services for its commuter rail system in the Greater Toronto Area.Bombardier...

B-C Stations:Replaces second item (BC-Stanley-Cup-Riot). Deletes extraneous words.---(BC-Surrey-Shooting)The Independent Investigations Office has been called in to investigate after a man shot himself in the head when he was stopped by police in Surrey...

Business News as of 6 p.m. ET--Friday, Dec. 216 p.m. ETBUSINESS NEWS ADVISORYHere are the top Business News stories from The Canadian Press as of 6 p.m. ET. All times are Eastern unless otherwise stated. Coverage plans are included when available. Entries...

Canada takes control of Arctic Council in 2013--Canada will use its two years as leader of the circumpolar world to promote development and defend its policies, suggest federal politicians and documents.But Arctic experts and those involved with the...

'Rebelle' makes latest cut on road to Oscar--BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Montreal-born Kim Nguyen was "ecstatic" Friday after learning that his war-torn drama "Rebelle" is one step closer to an Oscar nomination.The film -- called "War Witch" in English --...

Consumer confidence has waned: think-tank--OTTAWA - The Conference Board of Canada's said Friday that its index of consumer confidence is down in December for a third month in a row amid concerns over job prospects and the economy in general.The Ottawa-based...

Economy advances 0.1 per cent in October--OTTAWA - Canada's economy got back on the growth track in October, albeit in the slow lane after a couple of months of flat or falling economic output.The country's gross domestic product rose the minimum 0.1...

Canadian Football Hall of Famer Keys dies at 89--VANCOUVER - Eagle Keys, a Canadian Football Hall of Fame inductee who played in the 1954 Grey Cup on a broken leg, has died at the age of 89.Keys won two Grey Cups as a player, with Montreal and Edmonton,...

Labour survives tumultuous year in 2012--MONTREAL - After nearly a year of searching for a job close to home, welder Garnet Cooke is preparing to leave family behind and follow the trail blazed by many other unemployed Ontario workers who have headed...

Canadian snowboarder Calve earns WCup silver--CAREZZA, Italy - Caroline Calve seems to like the World Cup parallel giant slalom snowboard course at Carezza.The 34-year-old from Lachine Que., who won her only World Cup event at the Italian ski resort...

Celebrity birthdays for Dec. 27--Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 27:Guitarist Scotty Moore (Elvis Presley's band) is 81.Actor John Amos ("Men In Trees," ''The West Wing") is 73.Mike Pinder, keyboard player and vocalist with the Moody Blues, is 71.Actress...

Chance to create lines for Target Canada could propel homegrown designers in 2013--TORONTO - Homegrown designers could find themselves sharing stylish company with such fashion heavyweights as Missoni, Zac Posen and Vancouver-raised Jason Wu as a select...

Tories want CAS to list kids on adoption site--TORONTO - Children's Aid Societies should be forced to list all of the children in their care who need parents on the Adopt Ontario website, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak said Friday.Only about...

Consumer debt hit record high in 2012--OTTAWA - Scott Hannah says business just keeps getting busier.The head of Credit Counselling Services in Vancouver says the number of people coming for help was up seven per cent this year and there's no sign that...

Court orders Toews to accept prison transfer--OTTAWA - In a highly unusual move, a federal judge has ordered Public Safety Minister Vic Toews to accept the transfer to Canada of a prisoner serving his sentence in a U.S. jail -- saying the minister only...

Mobile threats expected to worsen in 2013--TORONTO - Some cyber criminals who disseminate viruses and malware in attempts to hijack computers are beginning to shift their focus.Your smartphone may be their next target.PC users have learned to be constantly...

Raptors beat Magic to win fifth in a row--TORONTO - Five consecutive victories isn't quite enough to make Dwane Casey breathe easy.DeMar DeRozan poured in 17 points as the Toronto Raptors stretched their winning streak to five games with a 93-90 victory...

5 culinary trends to experiment with in 2013--TORONTO - When it comes to food, everyone is always looking for the next hot thing to try.Trend watchers with their taste buds on the pulse of the leading-edge culinary trends offer up five ideas -- techniques...

Egypt envoy to Canada calls for compromise--OTTAWA - Egypt's ambassador to Canada issued an impassioned plea for reconciliation Friday to help his polarized country move beyond its worst political crisis since its president was deposed nearly two years...

No strikes if no contracts imposed: teachers--TORONTO - Public elementary teachers offered Friday to end the rotating strikes they staged across Ontario this month to protest Bill 115 if the Liberal government would agree not to impose new contracts...

Entertainment News Advisory--Friday, Dec. 21, 20126:30 p.m.ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ADVISORYHere are the top Entertainment stories from The Canadian Press as of 6:30 p.m. ET. All times Eastern unless otherwise stated. Coverage plans are included when available....

Muskrat Falls court challenge fails--ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - The Federal Court has dismissed a request for a judicial review of the environmental approval process used to clear the way for the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project.The Sierra Club Canada, one...

Final Christmas Barbie hung on tree--OTTAWA - RuthAnne Corley has been adding Barbie ornaments to her Christmas tree ever since 1993, when Barbie Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments were first produced as collector items."Barbie really wasn't a toy I played...

Five tips to self-publish an ebook--TORONTO - In 2012, Douglas &amp; McIntyre filed for bankruptcy protection, Random House of Canada become the sole owner of McClelland &amp; Stewart, and Penguin and Random House planned a merge.It's perhaps no surprise...

Highlights of all the top stories of 2012-----An in-brief look back at some of the most significant news events of the last 12 months, in chronological order:&lt;JANUARY4 - Disgraced Roman Catholic Bishop Raymond Lahey was sentenced in Ottawa to 15 months...

Will the BOM Squad strike Toronto in 2013?--TORONTO - Toronto may be bombarded by a BOM Squad in 2013.That's the name for fervent fans of the runaway hit Broadway musical "The Book of Mormon," which Mirvish Productions is bringing to the city in April.New...

One-industry towns watch as economy passes by--HANTSPORT, N.S. - Glenn Rogers appreciated his small-town life in the Maritimes. But the lure of big dollars in Alberta was too strong to resist after his employer of 18 years shut down."I didn't really...

Hamilton becomes Marlies scoring leader in win--TORONTO - Ryan Hamilton thought of his family and teammates as he entered the Toronto Marlies' record books.Hamilton became the Marlies' all-time goal-scoring leader in a 4-1 victory over the visiting San...

Watch personal debt levels, Harper says--OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper has a suggestion for Canadians looking for a New Year's resolution for 2013: go easy on consumer debt.While most Canadians are living within their means, they need to be...

Health-Lifestyles News Advisory--Friday, Dec. 21, 20125 p.m.HEALTH-LIFESTYLES-TRAVEL NEWS ADVISORYHere are the Health-Lifestyles-Travel stories from The Canadian Press as of 5 p.m. ET. Coverage plans are included when available. Entries are subject to...

Pondering the paywall: a countrywide debate--TORONTO - Whether they're lauded as the future of online media or labelled a scourge on the flow of digital information, opinions abound on the rise of paywalls in Canada, and the conversation is only going...

Ikea monkey owner won't visit sanctuary--OSHAWA, Ont. - A Japanese macaque named Darwin, otherwise known as the Ikea monkey, will stay at a primate sanctuary at least for the next few weeks without a visit from his owner, after she said it would be too...

Impact coach search down to a handful--MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact are down to a handful of candidates to replace Jesse Marsch as head coach of the Major League Soccer club.An unsigned article on the team's website on Friday said 28 people from around...

YouTube wants to make a star out of you--TORONTO - Google wants you to be the next Justin Bieber.Or Harley Morenstein. Or Peter Chao. Or Mike Tompkins.The Internet giant is on a mission to make YouTube a real rival to television and get web viewers in...

In online age, do album reviews still matter?--TORONTO - When Serena Ryder was a teenager with a fresh face and full voice, she landed an auspicious opportunity: the chance to open for Steve Earle and Missy Higgins for crowds numbering in the five digits....

International News Advisory--Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 p.m.INTERNATIONAL NEWS ADVISORYHere are the top International News stories. All times are Eastern unless otherwise stated. Coverage plans are included when available. Entries are subject to change as...

IceCaps score 2 quick goals to beat Bulldogs--HAMILTON - A brief offensive outburst was all the St. John's IceCaps needed to beat Hamilton on Friday.Jason Gregoire and Kael Mouillerat scored two quick goals in the second period en route to the IceCaps'...

Parti Quebecois governs on a high wire--MONTREAL - Pauline Marois was supposed to reach her political pinnacle in 2012, being elected Quebec's first woman premier and finally quelling questions about her leadership by taking the Parti Quebecois to power...

Injuries, travel distance barriers to gold--CALGARY - It's tempting to believe a Canadian team bolstered by the NHL lockout will dominate the 2013 world junior hockey championships.The 1995 and 2005 editions did so when lockouts those years made all...

Loonie faces pressure from lower inflation--TORONTO - The dollar pulled back more than half a cent Friday after Statistics Canada reported the country's inflation rate fell to its lowest level in more than three years.The loonie moved down 0.61 of a...

Annual inflation falls to 0.8 per cent--OTTAWA - Canada's economy is displaying fresh symptoms of a slowdown, with data released Friday showing inflation falling to the lowest level in three years and output barely growing.Statistics Canada's consumer...

Tough year ahead for mandatory minimums--TORONTO - The coming year could bring some clarity to the murky legal waters of the federal Conservatives' law-and-order agenda, particularly mandatory minimum sentences, even as new complications are added to...

Tight budgets to preoccupy military in 2013--OTTAWA - Canada's long-standing military contribution to Afghanistan enters its last full year in 2013, giving way to a serious bout of soul-searching in a restless, battle-hardened military that's been thrust...

Most actively traded companies on the TSX--TORONTO - Some of the most active companies traded Friday on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange:Toronto Stock Exchange (12,385.70 down 3.01 points):Torex Gold Resources Inc. (TSX:TXG). Miner....

National News as of 3:15 p.m. ET Dec. 21--Dec. 21, 20123 p.m. ETNATIONAL NEWS ADVISORYHere are the top National News stories from The Canadian Press. All times are Eastern unless otherwise stated. Coverage plans are included when available. Entries are...

Talk not fighting more effective: chief--FORT HOPE FIRST NATION, Ont. - Charlie Okeese says he has a better idea for First Nations than protesting in city streets with banners and drums.Like the Idle No More protesters, the band councillor from this...

N.L. government makes deal with Ocean Choice--ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Newfoundland and Labrador has made a deal to allow one of its largest seafood companies to ship unprocessed yellowtail flounder offshore in return for a guarantee of jobs at a fish plant.The...

N.S. board approves electricity rate increase--HALIFAX - Nova Scotia's Utility and Review Board has approved a plan that will see electricity rates rise by three per cent in 2013 and another three per cent the following year.The rate increases take effect...

Nova Scotia NDP faces chorus of complaints--HALIFAX - On the night the New Democrats were elected to govern Nova Scotia, party leader Darrell Dexter started his victory speech by suggesting voters had decided "it was time for historic change."More than...

Feds' on-site audit of vets facility done--TORONTO - Federal government auditors have completed an on-site inspection of Canada's largest veterans facility prompted by complaints about substandard treatment and neglect of its most frail residents.The...

Ontario will get new premier in 2013--TORONTO - Ontario will get a new premier _ and possibly another election_ in 2013 after a series of controversial decisions by Dalton McGuinty left the legislature in limbo and tainted his legacy as the education...

Ontario News Advisory--Friday, Dec. 21, 2012As of 5:30 p.m.ONTARIO NEWS ADVISORYHere are the Ontario News stories from The Canadian Press as of 5:30 p.m. ET. All times are local unless otherwise stated. Coverage plans are included when available. Entries...

Ottawa runs $1.7-billion deficit in October--OTTAWA - The federal government shrank its deficit for October to $1.7 billion compared with a shortfall of $2.1 billion a year ago.The decrease came as revenue for the month was up eight per cent or $1.6...

5 easy-ish ways to tackle weight in 2013--TORONTO - Hands up everyone who plans to start the new year with a resolution about weight. Yup, that's a lot of hands.As everyone who has ever tried to lose weight knows, it's not an easy pledge to fulfil. Time...

(Fake-Canvassers) (Alta Note)Police in Red Deer are warning people about crooks posing as canvassers collecting funds for victims of the recent school shooting in Connecticut.They say the fraudsters are going door-to-door in the city.Anyone wishing to...

(Food-Industry-Innovation)A Conference Board of Canada report says when it comes to innovation, Canada's food industry has a lot to learn.The report says there is a strong tradition of innovation in many parts of the primary agriculture sub-sector.But...

Watershed battle waged over proposed pipeline--KITIMAAT VILLAGE, B.C. - In the middle of an interview, Gerald Amos stoops to pick up his three-year-old granddaughter. Continuing, he hands her blueberries on demand.The scene is a simple example of why...

QMJHL Roundup: Oceanic win 6th straight--The Rimouski Oceanic are heading into the second half of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season in second place, on a six-game winning streak and with some new firepower on the blue-line.Philippe Desrosiers...

Will Quebec 'Maple Spring' be felt elsewhere?--MONTREAL - It simmered as a provincial dispute over tuition-fee hikes before exploding into a massive movement that grabbed the world's attention.Not only did Quebec's boisterous, and sometimes violent,...

RIM shares fall after earnings report--TORONTO - Shares in Research In Motion plunged more than 20 per cent Friday as analysts raised concerns about less revenue from the lucrative service fees charged by the company to use its secure network.BMO Capital...

(Men-Stabbed)Two men convicted of manslaughter in the fatally stabbing of a man outside a Regina bar won't have to serve any more time in jail.A judge sentenced Ronald Zerr to nine years and Ashton Lavallee to seven in the death of Albert Lowenberger...

Facts about northern Ontario's Ring of Fire--MARTEN FALLS, Ont. - Some facts and figures about a massive mining deposit in northern Ontario known as the Ring of Fire.Location: An area 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, Ont., in the James Bay lowlands,...

Source: Players give power to dissolve union--TORONTO - NHL players have moved a step closer to dissolving their union.A vote of the NHL Players' Association membership this week has given their union's executive board the power to file a "disclaimer...

Cellphones still a nagging problem in theatre--TORONTO - It's become a standard scenario before the curtain opens on a live theatre performance: patrons receive written requests in programs, or oral warnings via the sound system, to turn off cellphones.Some...

Fashion forward: Five stylish trends for 2013--TORONTO - Sweats? Sweaters? Suits? Or T-shirts and jeans?Comb through your closet and undoubtedly clues will emerge of which well-worn items stacked in multiples may rank among your fashionable favourites.A...

We could refreeze Arctic. Should we?--A record loss of Arctic sea ice and faster-than-expected melting of Greenland's ice cap made worldwide headlines in 2012, but research published in major science journals in the fall suggest warming in the North...

Top court raps jury vetting but nixes appeals--TORONTO - Prosecutors might have acted improperly in vetting potential jurors but the misconduct was not serious enough to quash a series of convictions, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled Friday.Still, despite...

Tabletiquette: Can you watch adult material in public?--TORONTO - There was nothing comfortable about Tanis Miller's recent flight home to Edmonton, crammed as she was into a middle seat in economy, grappling for arm rests with a "strange" adolescent...

This week in religion history - Dec. 30-Jan. 5--Dec. 30In 1384, the English religious reformer John Wycliffe died of a stroke. Wycliffe was a bold critic of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church and believed the Church should return to the Scriptures....

This season about fine-tuning before Sochi--Barely a year out from the Sochi Olympics, this winter will be about testing and tinkering for Canada's top winter sports athletes.But they'll have to do it with less money than they had four years ago at this...

Today in History - Dec. 30--Today in History for Dec. 30:On this date:In 1384, the English religious reformer John Wycliffe died of a stroke. He was a bold critic of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church and believed the Church should return to the...

Today in History - Dec. 31--Today in History for Dec. 31:On this date:In 1600, Queen Elizabeth I granted the British East India Co. a monopoly on all trade to the East Indies.In 1687, the first shipload of emigrating Huguenots (French Protestants) left...